Middlesbrough 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Hopefully that means Charles and Downes starting central midfield with Holgate right back, KWP left. Looks more solid through the spine which is needed. Would prefer Alcarez over Smallbone 

Edited 23 September, 2023 by Turkish

[Jack]

How are Smallbone and Fraser getting the nod after Tuesday? Edozie is being hard done by there and looked like one of our best options. 
 

Experimental at the back too, he better hope it works 

[BARCELONASAINT]

This is a lineup with the intention of making it much tighter but still with threat going forward. We have been shockingly open up to now with some players just not tracking back. Those having a pop at Adam Armstrong should behave themselves, at least the bloke tracks back and puts in tackle.

[Hodgey]

Central midfield much better, but you’ll have to convince me that Smallbone, Adam Armstrong and Fraser are in any way a top 6 attacking midfield outfit.

[Saint Matty 76]

Should've been Alcaraz and Edozie in for Fraser and Smallbone. Not really seeing much creativity in this lineup at all.

[sydney_saint]

When did AA and Smallbone become so undroppable? It feels like we have two Jermaine Wrights in our side. Both have had about 1 good game each this season. Worried that Fraser might also be joining them in that club. Worrying the manager has his favourites already

[The Curse of St Mary's]

Edozie for Arma and I would have been pretty content with the line up. All the creativity will have to come from Fraser. 

[S-Clarke]

We'll probably be proven wrong with the performance, but that looks a much better team and a much better potential shape.

Smallbone more advanced, with two deeper CM's behind him. THB and Bednarek in CB.

Harsh on Edozie, but defensively in the last few games, right at the start of the games, he has been inept. He's a threat in an attacking sense, but if he keeps switching off covering then it's all a bit pointless.

[LGTL]

Fucking Smallbone. Waste of a shirt. 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Jack said:

How are Smallbone and Fraser getting the nod after Tuesday? Edozie is being hard done by there and looked like one of our best options. 
 

Experimental at the back too, he better hope it works 

very true, but 'things' had to change. Manning has been poor in general. Adam Armstrong is much better defensively than Edozie (who is very unlucky to be dropped)

But shit had to change

[Convict Colony]

1 minute ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Should've been Alcaraz and Edozie in for Fraser and Smallbone. Not really seeing much creativity in this lineup at all.

I would of put carlos in ahead of smallbone for sure.

[sydney_saint]

3 minutes ago, Jack said:

How are Smallbone and Fraser getting the nod after Tuesday? Edozie is being hard done by there and looked like one of our best options. 
 

Experimental at the back too, he better hope it works 

The only thing I can think of is we are trying to pace Edozie through the season? 

[macca155]

Holgate in at RB I presume. Good that adds some height to the defence. Stronger midfield as well. Its what I wanted to see so game on.

[ButtikonSaint]

Very defensive line up, kind of make sense when you're on a rotten streak.
If we don't concede, we can't lose and gives us some decent choices off the bench.
nil-nil

[Norm]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Holgate can't be as bad as his debut showed. 

I hope I’m wrong but I had hoped to never seeing Holgate in a Saints shirt again. Let’s see at 5pm.

As for Manning, pleased he isn’t starting, he has been very poor.

[Convict Colony]

Got to be a first most of saintsweb like the team line up 

[Saint_clark]

5 minutes ago, The Cat said:

At RB no doubt. Loads of people have been laying into Manning saying he should be dropped. Martin does that and then people moan.

Who do you want at RB? James Bree?

I wouldn't be against giving Bree a chance there. 

[derry]

I hope this signals a more solid defence oriented team. Until we become hard to beat we can't expect to move up the table. I'm not sure about KWP at left back however I think the back four looks more solid especially if Charles slots in as the holding midfielder with Smallbone and Downes feeding the forwards and supporting. Manning has been a negative for me due to his continuous turning back and lack of defensive solidity.  We'll shortly find out.

Edited 23 September, 2023 by derry

[sfc4prem]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

I wouldn't be against giving Bree a chance there. 

Agreed. One of the best fullbacks in the league last year. Probably the same level as Manning - not great but should do a job. Will Holgate? Let's see.

[Lord Duckhunter]

12 minutes ago, The Cat said:

 

Who do you want at RB? James Bree?

Yes.

[JRM]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

That is a much better line up. Just depends if he intends on a 433 an no inverted fullbacks

Defenders in defence and midfielders in midfield, not sure what's going on with the full backs, Holgate gets to redeem himself , I reckon we'll do a bit better today, 1-1 draw 

[Saint_Tony]

Martin trying to play it safe, best we can hope for is a draw, sadly. Strange to be seeing all the hate for Smallbone on various social media, when just a few weeks ago most of the fanbase seemed delighted we had not sold him, followed by signing a new contract.

[derry]

Just had a thought, is he going three at the back? That doesn't look as good to me.

[Charlie Wayman]

11 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Hopefully that means Charles and Downes starting central midfield with Holgate right back, KWP left. Looks more solid through the spine which is needed. Would prefer Alcarez over Smallbone 

Agree 100%.

Edozie deserves to start over Fraser too, the lad is one of our better players and doesn't deserve to be dropped.

Don't get me started about Adams and Armstrong! How they get into the team is beyond me.

[Toussaint]

19 minutes ago, trousers said:

What the fuck is Martin up to, I haven’t even heard of one of those players. Rotating all 11 is asking for trouble 

[Black Sea Saint]

10 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

I would of put carlos in ahead of smallbone for sure.

In fairness Alcaraz hasn't looked up to it since RM has come in. I don't think he fits the system. A great shame as he could be brilliant in this league, but as we've seen this manager plays to his system and not to the strength of the players he has available.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Charlie Wayman said:

Agree 100%.

Edozie deserves to start over Fraser too, the lad is one of our better players and doesn't deserve to be dropped.

Don't get me started about Adams and Armstrong! How they get into the team is beyond me.

Pray tell - who plays up top if Che isn't in the side as you want?

[JRM]

15 minutes ago, Jack said:

How are Smallbone and Fraser getting the nod after Tuesday? Edozie is being hard done by there and looked like one of our best options. 
 

Experimental at the back too, he better hope it works 

I think more defensive players, I don't recall Edozie ever making a tackle or winning a 50/50 , needs to work on that side of his game 

[goodymatt]

I’m hoping it’s Holgate at RB and KWP at LB, rather than a back 5. Overall a very conservative lineup looking to end the losing streak. I would have liked to see a proper AM and a proper winger out there though. 

[Greedyfly]

7 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Pray tell - who plays up top if Che isn't in the side as you want?

A plank of wood? Wood have the same net output

[northam soul]

He could still be playing Charles as a CB in a back five with Holgate RB.

Anything is possible but our attacking threat on the pitch looks a bit Meh either way.

[Greenridge]

14 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

Agreed. One of the best fullbacks in the league last year. Probably the same level as Manning - not great but should do a job. Will Holgate? Let's see.

If he’s the same level as Manning then that’s why neither of them are playing. 

[gio1saints]

If playing an attacking line up means we keep getting stuffed you can understand why RM has picked “ conservative” players even if the formation. remains same ( unless it’s a shock 3CB’s approach ! ) 

Did not expect both Edozie and Manning to get dropped but if E is not scoring and M not defending well enough then it’s logical.  Che needs to have his scoring boots on today. Fingers crossed COYS. 

[Saint86]

Whats the deal with Sulemana and Alcaraz? 🤣

[The Juice]

Next Manager Job Interview should start with the following question:

'So, what do you think of Adam Armstrong?'

the first person to say he shouldnt be anywhere near the pitch gets the job 

[badgerx16]

1 minute ago, Saint86 said:

Whats the deal with Sulemana and Alcaraz? 🤣

Impact substitutes. Grind 'boro down then run them ragged for the last 20 minutes. RM has been watching too much of the rugby World Cup.

[goodymatt]

2 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Whats the deal with Sulemana and Alcaraz? 🤣

You’d think these 2 would be starters every week at this level

[gio1saints]

Just now, Saint86 said:

Whats the deal with Sulemana and Alcaraz? 🤣

I think they are too much of a defensive risk at this stage. Surely RM is heavily focused on not getting  beaten by end of first half. All being well they both come on later on in the game…

[FarehamSaintJames]

I’ve never felt more excited to see three yard passes between our goalkeeper, defenders and midfielders (given they’re DM’s by nature).

So hyped that we could beat that 1000 passes per match record. Way more important than three points.

Slow paced and boring and it’s finest. Super tactics.

Leave all the excitement on the bench for when Boro go 1-0 up.

[Pilchards]

Keep it tight at the back and then put your fast runners on when the game opens up.

Im getting to the point of being pissed off when we go one nil down in the first 20 minutes.

[FarehamSaintJames]

4 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Maybe include some of these

It’s gonna be hard for our midfielders to contribute to this when they’re all defending and passing backwards around our penalty area.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Last time Middlesbrough beat us was in 2012 apparently and they’re bottom.  We all know where this one’s headed then.

RM once again can’t resist being all fucking hipster by playing someone out of their natural position and so expecting Holgate to screw up enough to gift a goal. Hope they’re all feeling brave because I suspect Boro players will be kicking ‘em all around the pitch without any protection from the Ref.

COYS!

[coalman]

Rough on Edozie and Alcaraz. Kind on Smallbone and Armstrong 

[gio1saints]

Saints are 9/4 and 11.1 to win 1-2. Yeah I’m on that. 😇. Faith it will improve in the face of constant disappointment is the primary criteria for supporting this club. 😁

[richardc]

I think the score is going to be 987 passes vs 341

COYS

Edited 23 September, 2023 by richardc

[West end Saints]

I think there is a lot of sense in that line up. (not the one I would have picked though). 

No idea what Holgate is like at RB but likely to be more solid and adds height. 

I like KWP at LB, some of his best performances for us. 

Charles at DM - all agree. 

Smallbone and Downes both decent with DM behind them. I would have liked to see Alcarez but these are probably safer and have more experience. 

Front three

Che - no other option

Fraser / Armstrong both quick direct. More experienced than Edozie and Sulemana. Probably bigger characters to deal with pressure. 

[AlexLaw76]

We all assume Charles at DM....what if he is in a back 3???

🤔

[woksaintly]

Stream anyone?

[Saint Fan CaM]

Well with that line up, if we don’t beat the club at the foot of the table, we’ll know exactly what the rest of the season has in store.

[coalman]

Is it too soon to start talking relegation battle? Are we onto the must win 6-pointers yet?